Asheville, NC -  RiverLink volunteers made a difference this past Saturday October 24th with removing invasive species and trash from the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers during this National Make a Difference Day of service.  RiverLink helped to coordinate two projects; removing invasive exotic species from the French Broad Riverbank along Lyman Street with the French Broad River Academy and collecting trash from the Swannanoa River with the Asheville Beer Meetup Adopt-a-Stream team.  What was a wall of invasive species vines including porcelain berry and oriental bittersweet is now a window view of the French Broad River along Lyman Street thanks to the hard work and efforts of twenty volunteers.  The Adopt-a-Stream team of ten volunteers removed about 25 bags full of trash and several tires during their cleanup.

RiverLink celebrated the time, energy and efforts of all RiverLink volunteers this past Thursday during our annual Volunteer Appreciation Party.  RiverLink staff toasted the hard work of these dedicated volunteers with Highland Brewery Beer and Biltmore wine while munching on tasty treats.  Three lucky volunteers walked away with great raffle prizes; Wendy Whitson won an ENO Double Nest Hammock, Beverly Price won an Avio watch and George Grunewald won a Watershed ZipDry Bag.